Genome-edited retinal organoids restore host bipolar connectivity in the primate macula.

ABSTRACT: Retinal organoids (ROs) represent a promising regenerative strategy for restoring vision in retinal degenerative diseases, but whether host cone bipolar cells (BCs) in the primate macula can rewire with transplanted photoreceptors remains unresolved. Here, we transplanted genome-edited human retinal organoids lacking ON-BCs (Islet-1 ^-/^- ROs) into a non-human primate macular degeneration model. Remarkably, host rod and cone BCs extended dendrites toward grafted photoreceptors, forming functional synapses confirmed by immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural imaging, and focal macular electroretinography. Both ON- and OFF-pathway connectivity was rebuilt, providing the first demonstration of host-graft synaptic integration in the primate macula. These results establ

SUBMITTER: Ozaki A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12407709 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature